Failed Back Syndrome (FBS) or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) is a condition involving consistent back pain.  In addition, it also includes leg pain following a back surgery or a series of back surgeries. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is a common condition we have seen at The Well Chiropractic over the years.

What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?

Failed back surgery syndrome is often also known as a post-laminectomy syndrome. It occurs when a patient suffers from lumbar spine pain and surgery to rectify it has failed. When surgery is not able to treat lumbar spine pain, patients are left often with intolerable back and leg pain.

The lumbar spine makes up the lower part of the back. It also provides structural support and movement. The bony lumbar spine consists of vertebrae. These vertebrates are meant to protect from spinal cord injuries and provide function and movement. The cause of pain in the lower back could be for many different reasons. These may include lumbar strain, pinched nerve, and other conditions of the bone and joints.

The Very Well Health Research published a review stating that the failure rate of back pain surgeries is over 74 percent. This alarming percentage of non-recoveries is a prime example of how many people continue to live in pain and agony after surgery.

The purpose of the spine or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is to stabilize a joint.  That joint may be experiencing chronic pain, and/or to decompress the root of a nerve that might be pinched. A high number of cases, however, continue to experience pain and discomfort. Moreover, much disappointment from failed surgeries. They also continue to rely on heavy doses of pain medication or expensive medical treatments. Some patients even consider surgery revision to rectify the problem. This, however, should be the last attempt or option when experiencing failed back surgery syndrome.

Causes of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and Continued Back Pain After Surgery

There are numerous reasons that result in failed back surgery syndrome. They are:

Misdiagnosis of pain etiology 

An accurate preoperative diagnosis of the patient’s cause of pain. That is one of the most important factors that contribute to the success of the surgery. Diagnosing the source and cause of a patient’s back or spine pain increases the chances of successful surgery. 

Post-surgery rehabilitation 

A person’s mental and physical state is important, as much as treatment follow-ups are. A patient who is active and proactive is most likely to recover faster.

Obesity

A person who has excessive weight or is extremely overweight could experience greater difficulty during and post-surgery.

Spinal Fusion Surgery

Spinal fusion surgery eliminates the ability of the spine to move in the area of pain. The surgeon commonly adds a bone graft and creates a response that causes the bone graft to grow. It creates one fixed bone instead of a mobile joint.

After a spinal fusion surgery, pain often transfers to the next level in the spine. This is because the cause of the problem is a spinal fusion surgery is not eliminated. Surgeons then transfer additional torque and pressure to the adjoining vertebrae.

The Well Chiropractic uses the chiropractic approach that increases mobility in the spinal joints. We do this by addressing the cause of pain and treating with adjustments that realign the vertebrae. We also use cold low-level laser therapy to eliminate swelling and stimulate the body’s healing response. Following a Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, we will adjoin the vertebrae to relieve pressure created by the fused vertebrae.

Lumbar Decompression Back Surgery

During lumbar decompression back surgery, a small part of bone or disk material is removed. After cutting away the impeding material, a spinal fusion or spacer implant is often necessary. This is to keep the compression from returning. Unfortunately, spinal fusion causes pressure and imbalance in the adjoining vertebral joints. Which leads to dysfunction, pain, and the start of a disorder in these joints as well.

The Well Chiropractic natural chiropractic approach gently aligns the vertebrae. In addition, we do it without surgery to remove the pressure on the nerve root. With the realignment approach, the cause of the problem is removed.

Scar Tissue Post-Surgery

As part of the healing process, the body forms bands of scar tissue after any tissue injury. Just like with spine surgery. This scar tissue can pinch a nerve root causing a condition called epidural fibrosis. And that can lead to post-surgery pain and failed back surgery syndrome.

After back or spine surgery, biomechanical changes to the area can cause a progression of degenerative changes. It can increase tension or result in central stenosis. Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces in your spine begin narrowing. As a result, they exert pressure on the nerves in and around the spine and lower back area. Untreated stenosis can lead to permanent nerve damage and paralysis. In central stenosis, the central canal of the spine becomes constricted with ligament or bony overgrowth.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a type of motorized traction therapy that relieves and treats pain effectively through a series of gentle stretching of specific, targeted areas of the spine. This form of therapy, which is different and stronger than conventional traction therapy, is extremely effective in providing pain relief for patients struggling with failed back surgery syndrome and chronic low back pain because of sciatica, disc degeneration, lumbar disc herniations, pinched nerves, and other spinal and lower back ailments.

Unlike invasive and painful treatments and surgery, non-surgical spinal decompression uses techniques that are relaxing and soothing, effectively reducing pain while enhancing mobility and functionality. It reduces pressure off spinal disks, nerves, and other structures in the spine, promoting the movement of fluids and oxygen for quicker healing.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care and Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

When done by a trained health care professional and administered with care, chiropractic and non-surgical spinal decompression treatments can become an integral part of reducing low back pain from failed back surgery syndrome.

There are many health benefits to receiving these treatments when you are experiencing failed back surgery syndrome including,

Pain reduction and management

Chiropractic care and non-surgical spinal decompression are highly effective at reducing low back pain that continues after back or spine surgery. Patients who struggle with failed back surgery syndrome are great candidates for these treatments and many patients claim to experience relief shortly after beginning treatments.

​When chiropractic care is administered correctly by a trained chiropractor and is done on a regular basis, patients enjoy the benefits of effective pain management and reduction without the use of pharmaceuticals, addictive pain medication, or further surgery and invasive treatment options.

Prevention of chronic back pain

Regular, long-term, and consistent chiropractic care can have great benefits to the management and prevention of chronicity. Ongoing chiropractic treatment and follow up helps to ensure that any ailments or conditions arise early before the pain sets in again. Many conditions such as misalignment of bones and nip nerves can have treatment early to prevent chronic low back pain from reoccurring and causing further discomfort and agony.

Decreases joint and tissue degeneration

The condition of the degeneration of joints and connective tissue, also known as arthritis, is a very common concern especially in the later stages of life. After failed back surgery syndrome, the probability of the progression of degenerative joints and tissue is higher and poses a risk of perpetuating pain and discomfort. Furthermore, ongoing chiropractic care and non-surgical spinal decompression treatments help to decrease the process of degeneration in the joints and connective tissue.

Improves functions of the nerve system

Chiropractic care and non-surgical spinal decompression treatment options aim at relieving pressure and stress on joints, connective tissue, and the ligaments in between the vertebrae. By aligning and gentle extending the spaces within the spine, these treatments when administered regularly can release pressure on the nerves within the spinal region and its surrounding areas.

As a result, this provides great comfort to patients in pain from failed back surgery syndrome and with ongoing care, can improve the nerve system and support nerve functions to carry impulses more effectively and efficiently.

Enhanced physical health 

Patients who have experienced relief from pain and discomfort due to failed back surgery syndrome can enjoy enhanced physical health, mobility, and functionality again. With consistent treatments from a trained and experienced chiropractor, physical health is greatly improved by being able to perform daily tasks and chores, participate in normal activities, exercise and do strength training, and also being physically active for family or children.

Chiropractic care and non-surgical spinal decompression also helps strengthen the immune system, improves organ functions, and increases energy.